In 1807, Britain became the first country in the world to ban slavery, thanks to the efforts of Member of Parliament William Wilberforce. This year, Britain will hold a series of events to mark the 200th anniversary.
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Abolition of Slavery
Unimaginable as it seems, slavery and bonded labour still persists today. Although the slave trade was officially banned in the early 1800s, the last 50 years have seen a resurgence of slavery due to changes in the world’s economy and societies. Factors such as population growth (particularly in the developing world), rapid social and economic change, as well as corruption have all made their mark.
Wilberforce 2007 will see the city of Hull commemorate with 34 weeks of events and activities focusing on slavery and emancipation. Wilberforce 2007 will plug into today’s movements for social justice, and begin the celebrations with a fair trade fortnight in March 2007, with events running through to Black History Month in October 2007.
The Wilberforce 2007 programme is not just about history and Hull, but about connecting with projects and partners to put the abolition into a modern context.
The programme for 2007 is being developed under the guidance of a number of the Council’s partners including representatives from the media, businesses, academics and faith groups. Their stated objectives are to commemorate 2007 in a contemporary, relevant and modern way, promote cultural and economic freedom, human rights and fair-trade, raise awareness of contemporary slavery and human rights issues and to celebrate diversity.
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William Wilberforce
Wilberforce transformed the face of British History. He was named the Greatest Ever Yorkshireman by a BBC poll in early 2000 and one of the most influential figures in British political history.
Working alongside other abolitionists including Thomas Clarkson, Granville Sharp and, unbeknown to him, the slaves themselves who fought for their very own freedom, Wilberforce achieved the seemingly impossible, a parliamentary bill to end the slave trade which was passed in the House of Commons in 1807 and throughout the British Empire in 1833.
Wilberforce’s Life
Born in High Street, Hull, in 1759 and later baptised at the Holy Trinity Church, Wilberforce’s early years were at a time when the slave trade was already an established and thriving commerce in the UK and the world.
Today, his full life story is told at the award wining Wilberforce House Museum in the city’s old town.
Wilberforce became MP for Hull at the tender age of 21, the youngest person ever to be elected to the House of Commons. In his later political career, Wilberforce founded an association, and subsequently working alongside the Clapham Group, championed more than 60 reforms, one of them being the Royal Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals, more widely known today as the RSPCA.
Wilberforce is best known, however, for his untiring commitment to the abolition of both the slave trade and of slavery.
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Slavery Then
Britain's slave trade is arguably one of the darkest periods in British History. Between 1776, the year of the declaration of American Independence, and 1807, it is estimated that Britain alone trafficked in over 1,000,000 human lives.
Slaving boats would leave Britain for the West Coast of Africa where they would trade guns and other manufactured goods for African slaves. The African slaves would then be shipped across to the Americas where it is estimated 10-12 million slaves were sold onto the farms and plantations. Many never made it alive to America, as the conditions on board the slave ships were so appalling – over 2 million Africans died during these journeys, during which they were kept in cramped squalid conditions and treated worse than animals. Once in the Americas, they were worked to death. The goods they produced, much of it sugar, coffee and tobacco, were shipped back to the UK on the empty slave ships, bringing wealth and prosperity to the traders and the cities in which they lived, such as Liverpool and Bristol.
The African slaves were de-humanised by the slave traders and the societies they belonged to. They were simply not viewed as an equal race to whites, and sadly these views inherent in slavery persist in society today.
Historic Facts
Unimaginable as it seems, slavery and bonded labour still persists in the 21st Century. Although the slave trade was officially banned in the early 1800s, the last 50 years have seen a resurgence of slavery due to changes in the world's economy and societies. Factors such as population growth (especially in the developing world), rapid social and economic change, and corruption have all made their mark. Modern day slavery though, is different.
It is estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders annually, with 80% of victims being female. According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, human trafficking between countries generates an estimated £6.5 billion in annual revenue. It is closely connected with money laundering, drug trafficking, document forgery and human smuggling.
Buying a slave is cheaper than ever before. In 1850, an average slave in the American South cost the equivalent of £25,000. Today, a slave costs, on average, the equivalent of £60. And, because slaves are so cheap, they are disposable commodities, rather than people.
Leading the fight against modern day slavery is Anti-Slavery International http://www.antislavery.org. Founded in 1839, it is the world’s oldest international human rights organisation and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery and related abuses.
Current Facts
Some of the events that are taking place. These in this list are mainly being held around the city of Hull, a coastal city that was the birthplace of Wilberforce, but there will be other events across the country .
A wide range of events are taking place across a variety of venues in and around Hull to commemorate the 'Abolition of the Slave Trade' act. Come along and help us celebrate!
March of the Abolitionists 1st March 2007
A 200-mile walk to Westminster more »
Fairtrade Activists Regional Meeting 1st March 2007
Meet Cocoa Farmers from Kuapa Kokoo, Ghana, together with Fairtrade people from Divine Chocolate and Hull One World Shop. more »
“My Fair Trade World” Photo Competition 1st March 2007
As part of the Fairtrade Activists regional Meeting, Chris Church from Hull One World Shop will launch the “My Fair Trade World” photo competition for 6 to 16 years old. more »
Ghana and West African Night 2nd March 2007
Hitchcock’s Fairtrade Vegetarian Restaurant hosts a Ghana and West African night more »
Fairtrade Food Tasting 3rd March 2007
Sample Fairtrade food and get a copy of the Fairtrade Guide to Hull more »
Small Island book reading 13th March 2007
Author of Small Island, Andrea Levy visits Hull more »
Wilberforce III: African blues 16th March 2007
Performance by King Rollo (blues guitar/djembe) more »
Launch of Amazing Grace 22nd March 2007
National launch of film about Wilberforce's Parliamentary battle more »
Performance of Handel’s “Israel in Egypt”
For lists of other events, go here - http://www.wilberforce2007.com/index.php?
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Abolition of Slavery
Unimaginable as it seems, slavery and bonded labour still persists today. Although the slave trade was officially banned in the early 1800s, the last 50 years have seen a resurgence of slavery due to changes in the world’s economy and societies. Factors such as population growth (particularly in the developing world), rapid social and economic change, as well as corruption have all made their mark.
Wilberforce 2007 will see the city of Hull commemorate with 34 weeks of events and activities focusing on slavery and emancipation. Wilberforce 2007 will plug into today’s movements for social justice, and begin the celebrations with a fair trade fortnight in March 2007, with events running through to Black History Month in October 2007.
The Wilberforce 2007 programme is not just about history and Hull, but about connecting with projects and partners to put the abolition into a modern context.
The programme for 2007 is being developed under the guidance of a number of the Council’s partners including representatives from the media, businesses, academics and faith groups. Their stated objectives are to commemorate 2007 in a contemporary, relevant and modern way, promote cultural and economic freedom, human rights and fair-trade, raise awareness of contemporary slavery and human rights issues and to celebrate diversity.
------------------------------------------------------------
William Wilberforce
Wilberforce transformed the face of British History. He was named the Greatest Ever Yorkshireman by a BBC poll in early 2000 and one of the most influential figures in British political history.
Working alongside other abolitionists including Thomas Clarkson, Granville Sharp and, unbeknown to him, the slaves themselves who fought for their very own freedom, Wilberforce achieved the seemingly impossible, a parliamentary bill to end the slave trade which was passed in the House of Commons in 1807 and throughout the British Empire in 1833.
Wilberforce’s Life
Born in High Street, Hull, in 1759 and later baptised at the Holy Trinity Church, Wilberforce’s early years were at a time when the slave trade was already an established and thriving commerce in the UK and the world.
Today, his full life story is told at the award wining Wilberforce House Museum in the city’s old town.
Wilberforce became MP for Hull at the tender age of 21, the youngest person ever to be elected to the House of Commons. In his later political career, Wilberforce founded an association, and subsequently working alongside the Clapham Group, championed more than 60 reforms, one of them being the Royal Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals, more widely known today as the RSPCA.
Wilberforce is best known, however, for his untiring commitment to the abolition of both the slave trade and of slavery.
------------------------------------------------------
Slavery Then
Britain's slave trade is arguably one of the darkest periods in British History. Between 1776, the year of the declaration of American Independence, and 1807, it is estimated that Britain alone trafficked in over 1,000,000 human lives.
Slaving boats would leave Britain for the West Coast of Africa where they would trade guns and other manufactured goods for African slaves. The African slaves would then be shipped across to the Americas where it is estimated 10-12 million slaves were sold onto the farms and plantations. Many never made it alive to America, as the conditions on board the slave ships were so appalling – over 2 million Africans died during these journeys, during which they were kept in cramped squalid conditions and treated worse than animals. Once in the Americas, they were worked to death. The goods they produced, much of it sugar, coffee and tobacco, were shipped back to the UK on the empty slave ships, bringing wealth and prosperity to the traders and the cities in which they lived, such as Liverpool and Bristol.
The African slaves were de-humanised by the slave traders and the societies they belonged to. They were simply not viewed as an equal race to whites, and sadly these views inherent in slavery persist in society today.
Historic Facts
- Between 1776 and 1807 it is estimated that Britain alone trafficked in over 1,000,000 human lives.
- The voyage of a slave ship across the Atlantic usually took about two months.
- Slaves were kept in appalling conditions under the deck with just 6ft x 1ft 4in for men, 5ft 10in x 1ft 4in for women and similarly cramped spaces for children.
- When slavery itself was finally abolished in 1833, over £20,000,000 had to be paid by the British Government in compensation to the slave owners.
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Unimaginable as it seems, slavery and bonded labour still persists in the 21st Century. Although the slave trade was officially banned in the early 1800s, the last 50 years have seen a resurgence of slavery due to changes in the world's economy and societies. Factors such as population growth (especially in the developing world), rapid social and economic change, and corruption have all made their mark. Modern day slavery though, is different.
It is estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders annually, with 80% of victims being female. According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, human trafficking between countries generates an estimated £6.5 billion in annual revenue. It is closely connected with money laundering, drug trafficking, document forgery and human smuggling.
Buying a slave is cheaper than ever before. In 1850, an average slave in the American South cost the equivalent of £25,000. Today, a slave costs, on average, the equivalent of £60. And, because slaves are so cheap, they are disposable commodities, rather than people.
Leading the fight against modern day slavery is Anti-Slavery International http://www.antislavery.org. Founded in 1839, it is the world’s oldest international human rights organisation and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery and related abuses.
Current Facts
- Today, even at a conservative estimate, there are 27,000,000 slaves.
- This is far more than were seized from Africa in four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
- An average slave in the American South in 1850 cost the equivalent of £25,000.
- Today a slave costs, on average, the equivalent of £60.
Some of the events that are taking place. These in this list are mainly being held around the city of Hull, a coastal city that was the birthplace of Wilberforce, but there will be other events across the country .
A wide range of events are taking place across a variety of venues in and around Hull to commemorate the 'Abolition of the Slave Trade' act. Come along and help us celebrate!
March of the Abolitionists 1st March 2007
A 200-mile walk to Westminster more »
Fairtrade Activists Regional Meeting 1st March 2007
Meet Cocoa Farmers from Kuapa Kokoo, Ghana, together with Fairtrade people from Divine Chocolate and Hull One World Shop. more »
“My Fair Trade World” Photo Competition 1st March 2007
As part of the Fairtrade Activists regional Meeting, Chris Church from Hull One World Shop will launch the “My Fair Trade World” photo competition for 6 to 16 years old. more »
Ghana and West African Night 2nd March 2007
Hitchcock’s Fairtrade Vegetarian Restaurant hosts a Ghana and West African night more »
Fairtrade Food Tasting 3rd March 2007
Sample Fairtrade food and get a copy of the Fairtrade Guide to Hull more »
Small Island book reading 13th March 2007
Author of Small Island, Andrea Levy visits Hull more »
Wilberforce III: African blues 16th March 2007
Performance by King Rollo (blues guitar/djembe) more »
Launch of Amazing Grace 22nd March 2007
National launch of film about Wilberforce's Parliamentary battle more »
Performance of Handel’s “Israel in Egypt”
For lists of other events, go here - http://www.wilberforce2007.com/index.php?
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